I'm pregnant with my second August baby and you know what that means? I'm practically an expert when it comes to surviving summer pregnancies.

The first time around the "Do you know how hot you'll be?" comments really got to me. Yeah, yeah, yeah... we live in Arkansas and it gets hot here. But there's air conditioning and milkshakes and swimming. I'll be fine, I thought.

Guess what? I was absolutely miserable. By the time my son arrived, I was so swollen from the humidity, that I felt like I had elephantiasis of the extremities.

This pregnancy I felt more prepared because I knew what to expect and was ready for the heat. But just when I thought everything was under control, our air conditioning went out right as the temperature climbed to 90+ degrees. It actually reached 93 degrees and 63 percent humidity inside our home. Even an escape to watch Maleficent at the theater and an evening eating out did nothing to save us from the heat. We opened our windows at night, plugged in every fan we could find, and put bowls of ice in front of them. We shut all of our blinds and closed off the extra rooms. But all that effort did was bring the heat down to 85 degrees. (The plus side: The coconut oil I've been slathering on my ever-growing belly is now liquefied and easier than ever to apply).

Four years ago when I was pregnant with my son, I remember watching a talk show encouraging women to freeze their makeup. Allegedly, freezing would help kill bacteria. I have since heard it doesn't work, but I tried it anyways. And, what I found was that when you're pregnant and puffy, there is nothing better than a cold compact sponge on your glowing face. (Disclaimer: Remove liquids before freezing that makeup bag. Frozen lipstick feels great and works the same, lip gloss does not. And while we're at it, let's just forgo the foundation. No one needs to look like a melting wax figure. A tinted SPF moisturizer is perfect.)

Speaking of cooling appliances and lotions, I had a crazy idea to use the refrigerator to help cool me down. You know how people use plugin lotion warmers during the winter? Why don't we refrigerate our lotions in the summer? And those refreshing cucumber face wipes? Put those in there, too!

My go-to wardrobe has been long, flowy maxi dresses that are oh-so-cute on baby bumps -- but not when my sweaty thighs are rubbing together. I need some air up there! So, I've switched to sweet little dresses above the knees. I'd love to be a little more modest, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Let's get back to milkshakes. Of course, they're great for cooling off in the summers -- but not if you drink one every day! One small milkshake can have up to 1,000 calories! And even though technically we can consume more calories when pregnant, I don't think 1,000 is what's advised.

What I do instead? Make a smoothie. Remember that thing you read saying that potassium can reduce swelling and iron is essential especially in the second and third trimesters? Well, then throw some banana and spinach in there. (Spinach? In a smoothie? Trust me... you can't even taste it. I promise!) Add some cold chucks of pineapple, some coconut water (it helps hydrate) or a bit of milk for calcium and sweetness, and some ice, and you've made a great little cold concoction with everything mama and baby need to be healthy. Plus, it's cold! Which is the most important thing right about now.

If all else fails, I plan to slather on sunscreen, squeeze into a bikini, and get to the lake as fast as I can waddle.

What are your tips forsurvivinga summer pregnancy?

Ashley Thompson is a blogger and mom with a three year-old son and one on the way. You can follow Ashley onTwitter.

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